Efforts to delay implementation of ELDs introduced in House

During the week of July 17-21 the House appropriations committee advanced its FY2018 Transportation-HUD appropriations bill that contained report language (see page 41) directing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to examine the electronic logging device (ELD) rule and technology platforms and report back within 60 days.

The conference report cites concerns over impacts the rule could have on small businesses, which NGWA continues to reinforce with offices on the Hill.

In addition, on July 18 Congressman Brian Babin (R-Alabama) introduced H.R. 3282, the ELD Extension Act of 2017, that would delay implementation of the ELD rule by two years.

NGWA will submit a letter in support of the legislation and will work to secure cosponsors on the Hill for the bill.

The ELD rule goes into effect on December 18, 2017, and requires carriers to install electronic logging devices to track records of duty status, rather than paper logbooks. More information on the rule and how it may impact your business can be found in a Water Well Journalarticle​ from May 2017.

A delay in implementation would give FMCSA additional time to not only realize the challenges and technological issues with implementing the ELD rule, but also that the regulation is too broad and non-traditional fleets, like those operated by water well contractors, should be exempted.​